Overview of Greeley

Located in northern Colorado, Greeley is a home rule municipality that is the county seat of Weld County. About 49 miles northeast of Denver, Greeley is a small metropolis with a quaint downtown center. Residents of the city experience a high quality of life, as the scenery is beautiful and downtown is filled with arts and culture. The city is an ideal place for active individuals who wish to ski one day, golf the next and attend a music event somewhere in between. Just about an hour away from Rocky Mountain National Park, residents of Greeley have the best of nature at their fingertips.

Greeley apartments for rent are ideal for retirees and young professionals, as the city offers a little something for everyone. Greeley is the most heavily populated city in Weld County and the 12th most populated in Colorado. According to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, the population has been on a steady incline over the past two decades. Currently, the population is just about 95,000 residents, up from 60,500 residents in 1990.

Living in Greeley, CO

In 1821, Major Stephen H. Long made an expedition to the area and claimed that it was not suited for human civilization. It wasn’t long after that the then-agriculture editor for the New York Tribune, Nathan C. Meeker planned a drive to the plains northeast of Denver where he built a colony. His efforts were supported by others, and in 1868 Meeker founded the Union Colony. Traveling to the spot where the rail line from Denver to Cheyenne crossed over the Platte and the Poudre rivers, he made his home. This adobe home can still be visited in the busy downtown area of Greeley.

In 1869, Horace Greeley can to the area and established a newspaper, built irrigation canals and designed 100-foot-wide, tree-lined streets. This was Greeley’s first and only visit to the area, but settlers named the town after him for creating the planned community.

Greeley Work and Study

Weld County has diverse economic opportunities with strong roots in agriculture. In Greeley, the top employers include JBS Swift, a meat processing and transportation company, State Farm Insurance companies and StarTek, Inc., an integrated value-added outsourcing service provider. Other major employers include the regional hospital, public school district and local government.

There are many students living in rentals in Greeley who attend University of Northern Colorado. UNC is the second-largest post-secondary school in the area that offers 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. The school specializes in health and human services, business and education. Aims Community College is also located within the city limits and offers more than 130 degree and certificate programs.

Rentals in Greeley, CO and Cost of Living

Living in Greeley is a fairly inexpensive place to live. According to Best Places, the overall cost of living is 4 points lower than the national average, food is in line with the average and utilities are 12 points lower than the average.

According to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, the average cost of rentals in Greeley is $855. Apartments downtown will cost slightly more, as there are many options for recreation and entertainment at nearly every corner.

Greeley Attractions and Special Events

Throughout the year, there are plenty of activities for residents of Greeley to enjoy. The Arts Picnic is held during the last weekend in July in historic Lincoln Park. The event boasts more than 175 artist booths, 20 food vendors and kids areas that encourage creativity with hands-on learning.

As residents of Greeley love the outdoors, Island Grove Regional Park is a major attraction for everyone. With trees planted as early as 1869, the historical park is known as one of the most picturesque areas of Greeley. The park is also used for many different kinds of events, such as the Colorado Indoor BMX, Buckhorn Kennel Club Dog Show and many different banquets.

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